On 23 April Turkey launched a military operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Medya Defence Zones in the Metina, Avaşin, and Zap regions of Iraqi Kurdistan, provoking heated responses.
The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council co-presidency has issued a written statement on Turkey’s operation, reports Hawar News.
“This is a continuation of Turkey’s plans which date back to 2014 and aim to end the Kurdish Freedom Movement,” said the KCK.
The KCK also drew attention to the date of the assault, which marks the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
“This attack coincided with the day of the Armenian Genocide on purpose. Turkey gives the message that ‘Just as we subjected the Armenians to genocide, your fate is also genocide’.”
The KCK statement continues, “Just as the Armenian Genocide became possible with the support of Germany and the silence of the Europe and the US, the Kurdish genocide will also be assisted by the silence of the US, Europe and the support of Germany.”
The KCK also recalled that Turkish officials met with the Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister and earn his approval for the operation. “The US and European countries support the Kurdish genocide for their interests. In this way, they aim to solve some of the problems they have with the Turkish state.”
The KCK emphasised that the silence of Kurdish political forces, especially the Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP), legitimised these attacks. “Wherever there is an attack against Kurds, all Kurdish political forces should protest it. They have national responsibility and Kurdish political forces remaining silent about the attacks is unacceptable. While the PKK, guerrillas, and all Kurdish people immediately reacted to the attack in Bashure Kurdistan [Iraqi Kurdistan] or elsewhere, it is significant that the KDP did not openly oppose such an attack. If the KDP and all Kurdish political forces oppose these attacks, the Turkish state will not receive international support and will not be able to carry out these attacks.”
The statement stressed that the attack by Turkey is also an attack against the political will of Iraq and threatens its integrity.
“Otherwise, Iraq will take its place in history as a partner of these attacks and this will pave the way for yet more assaults by the Turkish state in Iraqi territories.”
The statement concluded: “Our message is for all countries that support Turkey, in particular the US and Europe: Do not support the attacks of the AKP-MHP fascist government, which seeks Kurdish genocide. Do not be a part of the Kurdish genocide! With the support of Germany and your silence, the 1915 genocide became possible. Now you are doing the same. In this respect, all governments should take a stand against this attack by the Turkish state on behalf of the peoples of the US and Europe. They should show that they will not support the Kurdish genocide, but will oppose it.”